Dr. Grant is an internationally recognized and award-winning media psychologist, author, published researcher, Doctoral Addictions Counselor, and educator, with specific expertise in technology’s impact on mental health. He designs, presents, and facilitates healthy device management and good digital citizenship treatment strategy and educational training workshops for clinicians, practitioners, educators, parents, and academic communities.
APA Affiliations
Dr. Grant is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), served as the 2022 President of the APA Division 46 (The Society for Media Psychology & Technology), and currently serves as a Division 46 Executive Board Member at Large and Chair of the APA (D46) Device Management & Intelligence committee. He is also an APA Advocacy Division Partner Liaison, APA Division Science Partner, and Treasurer of the California Psychological Association Division VI (Media Technology and Communication).
Thought Leadership
Dr. Grant is a globally respected and popular conference keynote speaker, webinar, podcast, onscreen broadcast interview guest, and print content contributor on device related behaviors, addiction, and media psychology. Some of his interview and publication contributions include The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Time Magazine, Forbes, The Hill, The Hollywood Reporter, Business Insider, APA Monitor on Psychology, NewsNation, Wondermind, ABC News, CBS News, NBC networks, Fox News, CNN, The Daily Show, and a two-page People magazine feature story about him and his work.
Research Projects
Dr. Grant’s current research includes a large-scale study in partnership with the Newport Healthcare Center for Research and Innovation investigating his theories surrounding the potential impact of a caregiver’s device use behaviors on attachment bonds. Dr. Grant is also engaged in explorations of the identity construct effects of social media, para-social mediated relationships, and cyberaggression targeted towards adolescents, young adults, families, and our culture and relationships at large.
Authorship Projects
Other projects include an international publisher–commissioned “Healthy Device Management and Practices of Good Digital Citizenship” guidebook and companion treatment curriculum workbook designed specifically for practitioners, treatment programs, and educators; and serving as chapter leader, co-editor, and contributing author in collaboration with a cohort of global experts on several chapters to be published in a handbook by Springer Publishing (in partnership with Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development). He was also a chapter author on the beliefs, behaviors, and impacts of device-centric engagement for two academic handbooks with specific focus on device-centric behaviors; served on the Expert Advisory Panel on behalf of an APA scientific report regarding online video content for teens; and worked with the Youth Services Committee of the National Association of Behavioral Healthcare on the development and launch of Safe Connections, their new national Youth Services Cyberhealth campaign.
In His Own Words
“The question to ask yourself, and the question I ask my clients and audiences, is, Are your devices controlling you, or are you in control of your devices? Because most online content, apps, and platforms are tied to revenue and consumerism, if it is free, you are most likely the product, and the goal is to keep you online and engaged as long as possible. Young people in particular are vulnerable to the neurological and psychological effects of device overuse, and we need to help them take back the control.”
Contact
For press inquiries, please contact:
media@newportacademy.com
Listen to Dr. Grant on KCBS radio, discussing the TikTok trend of teens self-diagnosing mental health disorders.
Credentials and Distinctions
PhD in Media Psychology (with a specialization in addiction) and MA in psychology from Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara
MFA from the University of Southern California’s School of Film and Television
Member of the American Psychological Association and Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
2022 President; American Psychological Association Division 46
Chair; American Psychological Association (Div. 46) Device Management & Intelligence Committee
Co-Chair; American Psychological Association (Div. 46) “Strategic Planning” Committee
Secretary; California Psychological Association (Div. VI) Media Technology and Communication
2015 American Psychological Association “Early Career Achievement Award” Recipient
2022 “Candy Finnigan Life Works” Award Recipient
Newport Academy Featured Press
The Wall Street Journal
American Psychological Association
Healthline
Verywell Mind
